Advantages: easdy to use,USB connections,up to 4 pc's
Disadvantages: not pretty,

...,most previous switches used ps2 connectionsfor keyboard and mouse which was a real pain,the move to USB is both obvious and overdue and really puts the switch into the must have bracket for multi users. Im no lover of Belkin products,they often run hot and have poor documentation but the KVM switch is quite simpe to set up and dead easy to use so the manual is not a problem and as a switch it has no real heat problem. Its not a pretty thing,but switches rarely are, they have by definition 'untidy wires' sprouting out of them so they are best hidden away. The Belkin switch makes a good effort to be easy to use via your keyboard and easy to handle as far as cable plug ins go. The second point is a bit unnessary as once its set up u can forget it. Most KVM's handle only two pcs but this one will do up to four(although i havent tried more than... Read review

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Advantages: Build quality, flexibility
Disadvantages: Too few USB ports, a bit pricy

...to switch from one machine to another. ################### ## In the Box ################### The CS1774 is a small but pleasingly heavy device that support up to 4 different computers. As well as the basic KVM function, it also includes a 2 port USB hub, stereo out and microphone in and an Ethernet hub that accepts both 10 and 100Mbps links. The kit includes a full compliment of leads for 4 PCs, a firmware upgrade cable, external PSU and full printed manuals along with a quick start guide. The build quality is excellent with quality connectors and a solid metal case. The CS1774 is well designed with all the leads connecting at the rear except for two USB ports making it easy to keep everything nicely tided away. It is also designed to stack with similar units if desired. The keyboard and mouse connectors are USB although an adaptor... Read review

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Advantages: Advantages: Cheap, all in one solution
Disadvantages: No manual overide or audio support

...has USB connections for the keyboard and mouse although Belkin do a range of KVM's so you can probably find a PS/2 equivelent if you have that sort of mouse/keyboard. The PS/2 models also include PS/2->USB adaptors so you'll also need those if you have a USB mouse and PS/2 keyboard. This particular model has no support for audio so if you need to also have your microphone and speakers switch from PC to PC, look elsewhere. The monitor, keyboard and mouse are then connected to the KVM to complete the set up. One bugbear is that like the vast majority of KVMs, this Belkin unit has cables going in one end and out the other making it difficult to place on a desktop without having cables hanging out everywhere. However, there is no reason why you can't just tuck it out the way out of sight as it has no parts you'd normally need to access... Read review

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Advantages: Fast USB 2 Hub, Ports well spaced out
Disadvantages: Only for Desktop PC's really, Must have adequate PSU

...It should first be stated that this product is intended for use with a desktop computer and indeed it would only be practical to use it in such a manner. The hub comes with an AC adapter which has a good length cable to reach the mains socket. A USB cable is also included to connect the hub to your computer. The hubs cannot function without the AC power. There is nothing more frustrating than ports or sockets being too close together, meaning that large or bulky adapters or plugs can't fit in next to each other. This problem is avoided by the Belkin 7-port hub as the ports are well spaced out with four on one side and three on the other. There is an indicator light for each port to indicate whether it is working or not (on or off). There is no switch to turn off the hub - this would have to be done by disconnecting it from... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap, reliable, simple to use
Disadvantages: None.

...I liked this switch so much, I bought two of them. Netgear have a reputation for cheap and reliable networking equipment, and this 5 port unmanaged switch is no exception. When I bought my two, they were retailing online for approx £35 each - but these days you should be able to get one for approx £25 (inc VAT.) The switch is more or less the size of my hand (yes, I have big hands). With 5 ports on the back - all are auto-sensing, as is the gigabit standard, so you don't have to worry about crossover cables if you're daisy-chaining switches... The only other port on the back is for power, which is the usual "wall-wart" plug in transformer you get with most home networking equipment. Given the switch is unmanaged, you can just plug desktop computers, laptops, XBOXes, network printers straight into the switch, and not worry... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap, all in one solution, audio support
Disadvantages: No manual overide

...It's surprising how many people have more than one PC at home although even more surprising is that many of them each have their own screen, keyboard and mouse. In many cases this makes perfect sense but sometimes, you know you'll only ever use one or the other - perhaps one is your general PC and the other your music workstation. In these situations you can save a lot of space and money by investing in a KVM switch. KVM stands for Keyboard, Video and Mouse and allows you to use one keyboard, mouse and screen shared between two PCs. This particular unit from Belkin is unusual in that it also includes audio support and also comes with all the leads permanently attached instead of being supplied as a separate cabling set. Wiring it Up Installation is simply a matter of taking each of the two main cables and plugging the sets... Read review

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Advantages: USB FRONT AND BACK
Disadvantages: Fitting For Novices

...Now this is similar to the other Trust Front USB panel review I have done. However with this product we find an additional USB PCI card. Ok so what does that mean to me I ask you hear. Well basically with the other front panel you had to have existing USB ports on the back of your machine and use those for the panel with a link through lead. With this one you install a new USB card into a spare PCI slot (the long white slot inside your motherboard) and then run an internal cable to the front panel. This then means you have an additional two ports on the back for products such as an ADSL modem and printer that would be permanently connected, while you also gain three ports on the front for various other products that you may want to remove from time to time or just plug in now and then such as a digital camera or a joystick. All... Read review

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